Truckers threaten mass walkout
Truckers armed with bamboo sticks confront riot policemen on Saturday near the Daejeon Government Complex. The police said they arrested 457 protesters who were engaged in violent clashes with law enforcement personnel. [YONHAP]
The 15,000-strong independent truckers’ union announced on Saturday that it will go on a nationwide strike if the government and company management refuse labor talks.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions said on the same day it will advance its date for a strike in support of the truckers’ union.
The union is demanding government protection for basic labor rights, the renunciation of lowering haulage fees and reinstatement of workers fired from Korea Express, a delivery company.
On Saturday, thousands of union members gathered near the Daejeon Government Complex.
Union leaders will decide the date and method of the strike, according to union officials. The officials said the union will ask other labor unions to join in the industrial action. Leaders of the different unions are scheduled to meet this week and determine whether they will launch a mass strike.
“The union has no choice but to go on a strike because the government and forwarding companies do not have the will for dialogue,” said Kim Dal-sik, head of the alliance of unionized truckers. “If the two do not come to the discussion table, we will take every possible measure such as blocking highways and launching protests in the capital.”
However, Kim emphasized that the final goal was not a strike but negotiation with the government and companies; he insisted only talks would stave off a walkout.
The strike threat was triggered by the death of a Gwangju union chapter leader. Park Jong-tae, 38, hanged himself on May 3. He had placard with the message, “Stop suppressing the union.”
Park was wanted by the police for allegedly organizing illegal demonstrations against Korea Express after 76 drivers working at the company were fired for failing to come to an agreement with the company about service fee hikes.
A clash erupted on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. when 6,000 KCTU members tried to break into the Korea Express building to protest Park’s death. About 40 protesters and 104 police officers were injured during the clash. Police detained 457 union members for questioning. Police said they will seek arrest warrants for union leaders who initiated the protest.
The government said it will punish truckers who strike, and will consider severing fuel subsidies and suspending drivers’ licenses.
“The union claims the strike is motivated by the deceased, but it is clearly an illegal collective action. There is no justification for such strike,” said an official at the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs.
By Chang Chung-hoon, Kim Mi-ju [mijukim@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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